Kosrae starling

The Kosrae starling, also known as Kosrae Island starling, and formerly as Kusaie Mountain starling, is an extinct bird from the family of starlings (Sturnidae). It was endemic to the montane forests on the island of Kosrae which belong to the Caroline Islands in the south-western Pacific.

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Distribution

Region

Caroline Islands (Micronesia, western Pacific)

Typical Environment

Endemic to the montane rainforests of Kosrae, it occupied steep interior ridges and mature native forest. It likely foraged in the mid to upper canopy among fruiting trees and along forest edges. Historic accounts and habitat associations suggest reliance on intact, tall forest with plentiful cavities and fruit resources. Its distribution never extended beyond Kosrae.

Altitude Range

unknown

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Sizeunknown

Wing Spanunknown

Male Weightunknown kg

Female Weightunknown kg

Life Expectancyunknown years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This starling was known only from a few 19th‑century specimens taken on the high, forested interior of Kosrae in the Caroline Islands. It is believed to have vanished soon after, likely due to introduced predators (such as rats) and habitat alteration. Its extinction highlights the vulnerability of island-restricted birds to rapid ecological change.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

unknown

Flight Pattern

unknown

Social Behavior

Little is recorded. By analogy with related Aplonis starlings, it likely foraged in pairs or small groups and may have nested in tree cavities, but specific breeding behavior is unrecorded.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

unknown

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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